Something I’ve been meaning to do for so long – visit the Gorgie City Farm. It’s only a 10 minute walk down the road from us so there’s really no excuse. Finally last week we did so.

Most of the animals were hiding away, especially the ducks and bunnies. That was a shame. We also didn’t get to see the horse. However Katja was rather impressed with the Moo and the Ba-aa-aa as well as the pigs, chickens and goats. And she adored the dog! The tractor was also a big hit. We’ll definitely head back once the weather starts to warm up again.

Also on display is my first finished object for the year. The pattern is Starboard by Alicia Plummer. The yarn is Adriafil Knitcol in colour 046. I really love the colour and I’m quite pleased with how I got the pockets to kinda match, but I’m not so happy with the result in general. The neckband is too tight and the whole thing is a bit on the small side, and given that I was knitting the 2 year old size and have a skinny kid plus that the pattern should be slouchy, I’m disappointed. Hopefully it’ll block out a bit but worst case scenario is that it is put away for Bump.

Speaking of Bump, we’re now at 28 weeks, so into the third trimester with only 12 weeks to go. The back/hip pain is getting really quite bad now and it’s really nasty when I try to move in bed. C has been a great help picking up the wee one while he’s been off work but it’s now back to normality and doing the heavy (she’s almost 11kg now) lifting myself, not to mention the constant bending over to pick up whatever she’s thrown on the floor. Pregnancy the second time around is proving a little more uncomfortable than the first time!

I’ve had a particularly productive few of weeks here. I’ve managed to finished 4 projects!

There’s not one but two hats for my brand new niece. A Yoda hat and a viking hat.

As well as a cowl, which is yet to be photographed and my first ever pair of socks.

So what do you do when you’ve finished a project? Cast on another of course! I’ve cast on another cowl – both cowls will get sent to their intended victims recipients at the same time. I’ve also wound the yarn for a carnaby skirt but so far have resisted casting it on. And I’ve decided on a pattern for my next pair of socks, again resisting the urge to cast on just yet (have to choose the yarn anyway).

This leaves me with 4 and a half current fibre WIPs (the half has been on hold for over 2 years and I’m debating whether or not to frog or to try to salvage by combining what I’ve done so far with another pattern…) I mentioned this fact on twitter today and was promptly labelled a lightweight. I didn’t mention the two sewing WIPs, I don’t think that would have improved my standing! Apparently the grown up knitters have oodles of WIPs, which I find stressful just thinking about although it must be said that one of the grown up knitters I know is craft-monogamous.

I started out being craft-monogamous myself, only allowing one WIP per craft. I found that it helped me to get things finished as I was hitting the boredom slump and the other patterns started to call my name. Eventually I relented, I think it was when I realised that the can’t start until I’ve finished was sapping some of the fun as I doggedly avoided the project-from hell yet couldn’t start the next one. Boy was that a slippery slope! Still I try to stem the tide by searching for the next pattern, that tends to kill an hour or so of cast-on itch.

So how about you? Are you craft-monogamous or WIP happy? How many WIPs do you have on the go? Any chance you’ll ever finish them?

I’ve not been posting too much of late and it’s not because I’ve nothing to talk about, it’s mainly cos I’ve been so busy. I seem to have an awful lot of irons in the fire.

On the knitting front, there’s Christian’s scarf which has lain dormant since Christmas and which I really should get to work on, especially given the crappy weather we’ve been having of late. There’s also Bump’s dress which just needs the ends sewn in and then some blocking and it’s all finished. Oh and I’ve started a pair of socks, mainly cos I’ve never done socks before and wanted a small project for carrying around. That was a nightmare actually, figuring out the toe. Then there’s the wedding shawl which has been started and frogged twice. (plus plans are underway for some cushion covers, a hat and a jumper for me plus a little cardigan and blanket for Bump)

On the crochet front there’s Bump’s bear which seemed to grind to a halt fairly quickly.

Beading saw me making a mass of stitch markers and then stopping with about 10 to go to finish off the selection of beads I’ve got. I’d also like to make a shambala bracelet, but that requires getting to the bead shop. Really must do that…

Tatting sees a necklace which I got a fair way on a couple of weeks ago but then didn’t finish – I must pull out some findings and get that sorted. I also have plans to write up a couple of patterns, although part of me thinks it may be worth keeping them aside for when Craftree is ready.

Craftree is my big project of the moment. I’m not going to say a lot about it cos it’s still such early days, but it’s going to complement InTatters and be a fabulous website. I’m working with a great developer/designer team on that one and also with a great group of members from InTatters who are probably unaware of just how much their feedback is helping me out. I’m *really* excited about it and can’t wait to be in a position to share more.

I did however manage to finally pot the two plants that I brought over from Ireland with me. Poor things had been sitting in water on the window sill for 6 months and starting to look somewhat pale. Hopefully they’ll enjoy their new compost.

On the job front, I finally managed to get the Job Centre people recognising my Irish contributions, which means I can get some financial help. Still getting the old “you’re overqualified” or “we really need someone for 6 months” run around, but we’re getting there. Soon I’ll be able to get some maternity benefits and be able to relax a little more.

On the wedding front, we’ve booked flights for mum and dad, C and I to go to Germany. Couldn’t book for Bump yet – need a name before we can do that! Apparently we can add her in later.

Then there’s Bump. We’re getting slowly closer on names, we’ve decided on parameters for a cot (ie how wide it can be and still fit) and we’re also getting closer on prams. Meanwhile, we’ve started ante-natal classes and she’s moving around a LOT, she’s getting rather distracting actually. The vicious heart-burn I’ve been suffering has been alleviated thanks to some new drugs so I can stop having Gaviscon for dessert too!

So that’s been me lately. So much for my resolution to not start projects until other projects are finished.